©️FMG@Eiko Hanamura
昨年、とある方から漫画家・花村えい子先生を御紹介いただいた。
現役で最高齢の漫画家で、デビュー60周年を迎えた記念に、
ニューヨークでの展示会を企画できればと、打ち合わせが始まった。
「なかよし」や「週刊マーガレット」を楽しみにしていた私たち世代。
キラキラした大きな瞳とお洒落な髪型の少女が主人公というデフォルトが、
花村えい子先生によって生み出された手法であったのだと振り返る。
また当時センセーショナルと言われた、リアルなテーマの取り上げ方も、
今の時代まで続く日本漫画の草分け的存在という地位を確立していた。
何よりも、昨年当時90歳とは思えない、凛とした美しさが先生の魅力だった。
今年の１月には、米国人スタッフも加わって展望を話し合った矢先に、
コロナ禍が世界を襲った。
さて、どのタイミングで何が出来るだろう。
今月３日、訃報が届いた。
もっとできることがあったはず。
なぜもっと動かなかったのだろうと、悔やまれる。
享年91歳。
花村先生、どうぞ安らかに。
©️FMG@Eiko Hanamura
Last year, a friend introduced me to a cartoonist, Ms. Eiko Hanamura.
She was the oldest active cartoonist and celebrated the 60th anniversary of her debut; our meetings began with the hope of organizing an exhibition in New York City.
We were the generation that looked forward to magazines, "Nakayoshi" and "Weekly Margaret."
The default protagonist, a girl with big sparkling eyes and a stylish hairstyle, was a method created by Hanamura Eiko, we recall.
Also, the way she took up real themes, which were considered sensational at the time, had established herself as a pioneer of a Japanese cartoon that has lasted until the present day.
More than anything else, she had a dignified beauty that made it hard to believe she was 90 years old last year.
In January of this year, just after the American staff joined us to discuss the prospects, the COVID-19 pandemic has struck the world.
We had thought about what we could do in that situation.
On the third of this month, we received the news of her pass away.
There should have been more that could have been done.
We regret that we didn't do more.
She was 91 years old.
May she rest in peace, Ms. Hanamura.
©️FMG@Eiko Hanamura